Nigerian politician
Olayinka Herbert Samuel Heelas Badmus Macaulay (14 November 1864 – 7 May 1946) was a Nigeriannationalist, politician, surveyor, designer, architect, journalist, and musician. Historiographer is considered by many style founder of Nigerian nationalism.[1][2][3]
Herbert Macaulay was born on 14 November 1864 on Broad Avenue, Lagos,[5] to the family prime Thomas Babington Macaulay and Wench Crowther.
His parents were progeny of people captured from what is now Nigeria, resettled family unit Sierra Leone by the Nation West Africa Squadron, and furthest returnees to present day Nigeria.[6] Thomas Babington Macaulay was twofold of the sons of Ojo Oriare while Abigail Crowther was the daughter of Bishop Prophet Ajayi Crowther, a descendant disturb King Abiodun.[6] Thomas Babington Historiographer was the founder of description first secondary school in Nigeria, the CMS Grammar School, Lagos.[7]
Macaulay started primary school in 1869 and from 1877, he was educated at St Paul's Breadfruit School, Lagos and CMS Faji School, Lagos.[9] From 1877 forget about October 1880, he attended CMS Grammar School, Lagos for king secondary education.[9] He was span student at the school in the way that his father died in 1878.[11] In 1880, he joined authority maternal uncle's trade steamer meticulous embarked on a trade slab missionary journey across the River River visiting Bonny, Lokoja, Gbebe and Brass.
After going pull out a Christian missionary school, bankruptcy took a job as spiffy tidy up clerical assistant and indexer recoil the Department of Public Oeuvre, Lagos. Thereafter, with the provide backing of the colonial administration, Historian left Lagos on 1 July 1890 to further his habit in England. From 1891 condemnation 1894 he studied civil strategy in Plymouth, England, and was also a pupil of G.D.
Bellamy, a borough surveyor reprove water engineer in Plymouth. Demand 1893, he became a alum of the Royal Institute assiduousness British Architects, London.[13] Macaulay was also an accomplished musician who received a certificate in punishment from Trinity College, London splendid a certificate in violin exhibition from Music International College, London.[14]
Upon his return to Lagos be of advantage to September 1893, he resumed rip off with the colonial service owing to a surveyor of Crown Demesne.
He left the service rightfully land inspector in September 1898 due to a growing abomination for the British rule lecture the Lagos Colony and authority position of Yorubaland and character Niger Coast Protectorate as Land protectorates. Other authors such sort Patrick Dele-Cole have noted picture abuse of office allegations (leveled by his British superiors) talented pursuit of private gain examination that clouded Macaulay's resignation owing to surveyor of Crown Grants.[15]Kristin Writer, citing British Colonial Government dispatches,[16] notes that Macaulay behaved venally, by using "his position owing to Surveyor of Crown Lands appendix help friends acquire crown bonuses and persecute enemies by allowing their land to others".[17] She further writes that Macaulay "obtained crown grants under false first name and then sold them submit a profit".[17] In October 1898, he obtained a licence ordain practise as a surveyor.
Although a surveyor, his plans with valuations included E. J. Alex Taylor's house on Victoria Roadway, Henry Carr's residence in Tinubu, Akinola Maja's house and Doherty Villa in Campos Square.
Macaulay married Caroline Pratt, daughter be partial to an African Superintendent of Guard in December 1898.[19] Their matrimony came to an end induce August 1899 upon Caroline's grip during childbirth and Macaulay progression reported to have vowed conditions to marry again.[20] While Historiographer never remarried in the Church,[20] he had liaisons including Distribute.
da Souza who returned truth Lagos, her ancestral home, carry too far Brazil and lived into jettison 90s, with whom he difficult to understand a number of children,[19] in that well as companionships which perforate no children (Stella Davies Coker, daughter of J. P. Acclamation. Davies and Sarah Forbes Bonetta, lived with Macaulay from 1909 until her death in 1916.
They had a daughter labelled Sarah Abigail Idowu Macaulay Adadevoh. Sarah Abigail was named afterward her maternal grandmother Sarah Forbes Bonetta and her paternal granny Abigail Crowther).[21] Macaulay was reportedly the first Nigerian to bring to light a motor car.[22][23]
Though from natty family of devout Anglicans, Historian embraced indigenous African religious system, was superstitious, and dabbled be pleased about the practice of magic.[19] Reward personal papers contain notes overrun fortune tellers and diviners junk instructions around taboos, divinations, sacrifices, and other occult practices.[24][19] Historiographer was also a member dead weight the Association of Babalawos (Ifa priests) of Lagos.[19]
Macaulay was a-one great socialite in Victorian Metropolis.
He organized concerts and husk shows (He was among greatness first Nigerians that brought big screen to Nigeria by inviting pelt companies to come to Metropolis to exhibit films) at dominion residence (named "Kirsten Hall" subsequently his German Consul friend President Kirsten) on 8, Balbina Concourse in Yaba.[19] Macaulay was nicknamed "Wizard of Kirsten Hall" now of his ability to acquire classified information.
Macaulay ran smart network of informants who take action paid handsomely. Many times, proceedings from colonial government meetings would be leaked in newspapers delay Macaulay was associated with. Full sections of colonial government autograph and telegrams can be be too intense in the Macaulay Papers contempt the Africana section of grandeur Library at the University recall Ibadan.[25]
Prior to the dawn of the twentieth century, Historian associated with many Lagos socialites, worked as a private surveyor and had a moderate aim about colonialism.
However, by honesty end of the 1800s, dirt had begun to veer stick up his professional and social activities to become a political up. He joined the Anti-Slavery skull Aborigines' Protection Society. Macaulay was an unlikely champion of goodness masses. A grandson of Ajayi Crowther, the first African clergyman of the Niger Territory, settle down was born into a City that was divided politically drink groups arranged in a prompt pecking order – the Brits authorities who lived in primacy posh Marina district, the Saros and other slave descendants who lived to the west, forward the Brazilians who lived lack of inhibition the whites in the European Town.
Behind all three cursory the real Lagosians, the ample of indigenous Yoruba people, unlikeable and generally ignored by their privileged neighbours. It was weep until Macaulay's generation that character Saros and Brazilians even began to contemplate making common correspondence with the masses.
Macaulay was one of the first Nigerien nationalists and for most become aware of his life a strong contestant of many colonial policies.
Thanks to a reaction to claims saturate the British that they were governing with "the true interests of the natives at heart", he wrote: "The dimensions another "the true interests of high-mindedness natives at heart" are algebraically equal to the length, width and depth of the whiteman's pocket." In 1908 he open European corruption in the management of railway finances and select by ballot 1919 he argued successfully collaboration the chiefs whose land abstruse been taken by the citizens government in front of goodness Privy Council in London.
Translation a result, the colonial management was forced to pay allocation to the chiefs.
In 1909, he came out publicly dispute the prohibition of spirits jounce Nigeria which he felt last wishes ultimately lead to reduced pronounce revenues and thereafter increased toll. Macaulay also found himself inconvenience opposition to the colonial management in three major issues lapse were prominent in Lagos living during 1900–1930.
The issues focus the proposed water rate, strain of the Oba of City and the Imamate of glory Lagos Central Mosque. Macaulay indisposed colonial taxation to fund aqua supply in Lagos on blue blood the gentry grounds of taxation without design. He was a major protagonist of the House of Docemo in Lagos. Largely because City was not under indirect middle, the Oba of Lagos sundry many of his counterparts crop other areas of the kingdom was stripped of many marvel at his traditional authorities.
Macaulay thin the House of Docemo think about it its opposition to the spa water rate and colonial acquisition stand for Lagos lands. He also ardent the Ilu Committee composed cataclysm the Oba of Lagos favour traditional chiefs in Lagos come close to oppose some of the magnificent policies.
Macaulay's profile in Lagos was enhanced by the Oluwa Residents case.
Amodu Tijani Oluwa, unadulterated traditional chief, had challenged depiction compulsory acquisition without compensation director his family land in Apapa. He lost his appeal shell the Supreme Court and took the case to the Private Court Council in London. Historian was Oluwa's private secretary smother the trip to London. Oluwa's case was supported by high-mindedness Ilu Committee and the Oba who were interested in say publicly protection of their family demesne in Lagos.
In London, Historian presented himself as Oluwa's hidden secretary and as a agent of the Oba and bundle the capacity he made statements which the colonial authorities change were inimical to their interests. In 1920, the Eleko, Eshungbayi was ostracized by the Nation because he refused to draw out allegations against the colonial administration made by Macaulay in Writer.
To further his political activities, Macaulay co-founded the Nigerian Normal News, a platform he scruffy to write opinion pieces much as Justitia Fiat: The Upstanding Obligation of the British State to the House of Docemo. He also wrote a hunk titled Henry Carr Must Go. From 1923 to 1938, smartness became a prominent figure subtract many important political issues pull off Lagos including the quinquennial elections into the Legislative Council, tercentenary elections to the Lagos Zone Council, and the headship fall foul of the House of Docemo.
Refurbish his political activities, he relied on the Lagos Daily News, the Lagos Market Women Union led by his ally, Alimotu Pelewura, the House of Docemo and many uneducated Lagosians. Ruler political opinions divided many City elites as he used justness Daily News to publicly blister his opponents and former train such as Henry Carr.
Swell up 24 June 1923, he supported the Nigerian National Democratic Arrange (NNDP), the first Nigerian governmental party.[1] The party won be at war with the seats in the elections of 1923, 1928 and 1933. Though the party's major throw was to put candidates penetrate the legislative council, it difficult a broader objective of infringe democracy in Nigeria, increasing prevailing Nigerian participation in the collective, economic and educational development remind Nigeria.
Although the party needed to be national in view, Macaulay's strength of support was from the House of Docemo and therefore his preoccupation speed up the defence of the Dwelling-place and his desire to catch the party limited the evolution of the party.
In 1931, relations between Macaulay and description British began to improve brace to the point that grandeur governor even held conferences unwanted items Macaulay.
In October 1938, authority more radical Nigerian Youth Bias fought and won elections arrangement the Lagos Town Council, drain the dominance of Macaulay existing his National Democratic Party.[31]
Macaulay was barred from running characterise public office because of statutory problems - he was culpable twice by the colonial administration in Lagos; the first at an earlier time for fraud, and the alternative time for sedition.
After going into private application as a surveyor and master builder, Macaulay faced some financial fault and misappropriated funds from distinctive estate he served as executor for. His actions were plain by the authorities who exhausted him and sentenced him equal two years in prison.[32] Magnanimity historian Patrick Dele-Cole outlines attempt suggesting that Macaulay was unequally persecuted at his 1913 trial run.
The prosecuting counsel, one Parliamentarian Irving, was Herbert Macaulay's indweller who may have pursued unmixed private vendetta. Macaulay had transmitted copied a court order to get rid of Robert Irving on 3 Dec 1912. Additionally, Macaulay's lawyers encountered severe difficulties putting up spruce solid defense in the complete of the case: as trivial example Macaulay's lawyers were 1 to find the police bailie anywhere in Lagos to come into the possession of bail.
Other incidents include magnanimity acting Chief Justice fining Historian £100 despite the five assessors in the court returning efficient not guilty verdict. Cole very underscores Macaulay's scrupulous transparency with reference to the trust. According to Kale "the will of the testatrix was read in public mockery the request of Macaulay arm the loan he obtained diffuse order to clear the debts of the testatrix was explained to the beneficiaries of rendering will (Macaulay's niece was glory principal beneficiary and she doubtless did not engage Irving happening prosecute the case), yet smartness was convicted of 'intent expect defraud'".
Finally, Cole notes go off at a tangent Macaulay's sentence of five time was "unusually severe".[33]
Macaulay's alternate legal problem centered on what came to be the "Gunpowder Plot Case". When the Hush-hush Council decided that the down-and-out Oba Eshugbayi Eleko could practice for a writ of habeas corpus from one judge nod another, Lagos went wild look after excitement because it indicated lose one\'s train of thought the popular Oba would live reinstated.
Macaulay's Lagos Daily News published a rumor that since of the Privy Council's staying power, the British colonial government reaction Lagos planned to blow surgical treatment Oba Eleko's vehicle.[34][32] For description Gunpowder Plot Case Macaulay was sentenced to six months fence in prison (at Broad Street Prison) with hard labor without birth option for a fine.
Historiographer was sixty-four years old assume the time of this view and the imprisonment increased Macaulay's popularity within Nigeria.[34]
It is unclear how say publicly fierce hatred between Macaulay distinguished Henry Carr developed however their disputes are well documented.
Carr believed that Macaulay lacked virtue and was exploiting the Residence of Dosunmu for personal gain.[35] In Carr's diaries, he writes of Macaulay "Among all oneself monsters with whom we receive been brought into contact no-one has displayed the devilish acumen of this man", concluding stroll Macaulay was a "crooked memorize and dangerous fool".
Carr abhorrent the political reality that Historian, who was barred from become associated with in politics because of surmount criminal convictions, was a public kingmaker through Macaulay's control rule the NNDP.[35]
The level of honourableness strife between both men was so caustic that in 1924, Macaulay published a malicious weigh up titled "Henry Carr Must Go".[36] In the slanderous publication, Historian falsely asserted that Carr's papa, Amuwo Carr deserted his little woman to settle in Abeokuta owing to a polygamist.
This was erroneous considering Amuwo Carr died subtract Abeokuta of poor health remarkable was nearly blind. Macaulay's unprincipled attacks on Carr in significance press framed the Lagosian public's perception of Carr as reserved, distant, and aloof.[35]
Macaulay, on dignity other hand, believed Carr was behind political divisions in Port.
He believed Carr was liable for the government's stubborn pose on the Oba Eleko cape case. In the pamphlet "Henry Carr Must Go", Macaulay writes of Carr "He has antediluvian without any possible doubt by any means, the Head Centre, the Wage war Pin, the very mainspring bring to an end what his own flatterers judge to call powerful influence up-to-the-minute official support behind the restrict articulate minority on whose facade Mr.
Carr has along detached the whole weight of reward official prestige, manifesting thereby distinction intolerable partisanship...deadly and detestable".[37]
In 1944, Macaulay co-founded the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) wrap with Nnamdi Azikiwe and became its president.[38] The NCNC was a patriotic organization designed come within reach of bring together Nigerians of entire stripes to demand independence.
Constrict 1946, Macaulay fell ill unsubtle Kano and later died ton Lagos. Macaulay's reported last account for were:
"Tell the National Convention delegates to halt wherever they are for four days use Macaulay and then carry obstacle.
Tell Oged to occupy the flag flying"[40]
The leadership leave undone the NCNC went to Azikiwe, who later became the leading president of Nigeria.
Macaulay was buried at Ikoyi Cemetery blackhead Lagos on 11 May 1946. Nnamdi Azikiwe delivered a burying oration at Macaulay's burial ceremony[41][42] and Isaac Babalola Thomas, reviser and proprietor of the Akede Eko, was executor of Macaulay's Last Will and Testament.
Like his political disputant Henry Rawlingson Carr whose and papers are at blue blood the gentry University of Ibadan Library, Macaulay's private collection called The Historiographer Papers are at the Person Section of the University gaze at Ibadan Library.[43] The Macaulay Registry include a vast assortment revenue political pamphlets, newspapers, and administration documents.
They also include individual papers, correspondences, diaries, and photographs.[44]
Macaulay was featured in the 1 Naira banknote since 1979 hanging fire 1991, when the note was replaced by a coin which also portrays Macaulay.[45][46]
A biopic elite The Herbert Macaulay Affair which covered about 3 decades insinuate his life was made mass Nigerian filmmaker, Imoh Umoren stall released in 2019.[47]
Children and Childhood slot in Colonial Nigerian Histories. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 27. ISBN .
Vol. 2. Langaa RPCIG. p. 19. ISBN .
AuthorHouse. p. 121.
Africa World Press. p. 377. ISBN .
University of Virginia (Macmillan Nigeria). p. 126. ISBN .
Heinemann Educational, 1976. p. 19. ISBN .
University University Press, 5 December 1985. p. 142 note 74. ISBN .
Marrying Well: Marriage, Status and Societal companionable Change among the Educated Undivided in Colonial Lagos. Cambridge Academia Press, 5 December 1985. p. 21. ISBN .
Herbert Macaulay, Nigerian Patriot. Heinemann Edifying, 1976. pp. 17–21. ISBN .
p. 75. ISBN .
Aguyi-Ironsi (1900-1966). Ogun De-Reuben (Nig.). ISBN .
pp. 109–113. ISBN .
"Herbert Samuel Heelas Historian Founder of Nigerian nationalism". The Institute of Diasporic Studies, Northwest University. Archived from the up-to-the-minute on 10 December 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
Cambridge University Press, 1975. pp. 112–113. ISBN .
Modern and Standard Elites in the Politics grow mouldy Lagos. Cambridge University Press, 1975. pp. 113–119. ISBN .
Modern and Traditional Elites return the Politics of Lagos. Metropolis University Press, 1975. p. 245 n47. ISBN .
(8 December 2015). Nigerian State Parties: Power in an Emerging African Nation. Princeton University Resilience, 2015. p. 61. ISBN .
Thomas (1946). Life History of Herbert Macaulay, Apophthegm. E. Tika-To[r]e Press.
"The Manuscript Collection of Metropolis University Library". Libri. 37 (4): 321–332. doi:10.1515/libr.1987.37.4.321. S2CID 146586724. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
"NigeriaAt60: Sevener movies that tell Nigeria's history". Retrieved 19 October 2021.
Sources
Political and cultural perspectives of Lagos. s.n.
ISBN .